the Cammaratas

Denise (medical biller) and John Cammarata (retired NYC Bus Driver) have been married for 21 years and have three amazing children: Damiano (19) currently attending Staten Island College, John (17) currently attending Tottenville High school, and Genna (13) currently attending IS 2.

Denise and her husband had purchased a home on her childhood block of Bedford Avenue to be close to her mother. As her mother grew older, she sold her home and moved in with their family. One week before the storm, her mother’s leg was broken. As the storm was approaching, the family was forced to evacuate Denise’s mother and transfer her to the care of Clove Lakes Nursing Home. She remains there till this day as their home was destroyed from Hurricane Sandy.

After having 15 feet of water in their home, it is amazing that the house is still standing although it is un-inhabitable - as most of living space was completely washed away and covered with raw sewage. Until they can locate temporary housing and rebuild the family home, the Cammarata’s are crashing with family.

This is the second economic hardship the family has suffered in the course of two years – as Hurricane Irene destroyed their basement last year (this is her son’s living quarters). They repaired the basement out of pocket only to have it destroyed yet again - and now find themselves in a far worse scenario.